Some Trainers command their Pokémon. Others earn the right to stand beside them.
"Ahh… taking a bath really does feel great."
"Don't you think so too, Froakie?"
"Froa…"
Froakie was currently soaking in a wooden tub, both arms draped lazily over the rim. Hearing Ash's voice, it waved one hand half-heartedly before sinking half its head into the water, eyes narrowing into contented slits.
As a Water-type Pokémon, Froakie naturally loved being in water.
Besides—
Soaking in a bath was one of a swordsman's simple pleasures.
Ash chuckled at the sight. Then he felt something wriggling in his hands and quickly looked down.
"Hey, don't move around, Mimikyu. I'm almost done."
Ash was carefully washing Mimikyu.
Although the Bug Catcher had sewn up the disguise earlier, the rag still looked dusty and dull. Ash had wanted to clean it since the moment he caught Mimikyu, but he hadn't had a proper opportunity until now.
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu struggled slightly against the washing.
But after its disguise had been repaired, the strange power from before seemed sealed away. Its resistance was about as strong as a mildly annoyed cat—troublesome, but manageable.
Eventually, realizing resistance was pointless, Mimikyu stopped struggling.
Still…
It didn't look happy.
"Mimi…"
It clearly remembered losing control earlier.
The thought that it had nearly hurt Ash weighed heavily on it.
"Don't worry about it, Mimikyu," Ash said gently.
Even though he couldn't understand its words, he could sense its mood.
"It's okay if you can't get hit. Then we'll just get fast enough that nothing can touch you."
He turned toward the tub.
"Oh yeah—Froakie, I need your help training Mimikyu too. Could you work on its speed?"
"Froa."
Froakie waved lazily.
It would have done that anyway.
After all—
Cutting down enemies who had lost control was far less satisfying than facing those who still had their minds.
"Mimi?"
Mimikyu blinked.
Ash showed no anger. No blame.
Only concern.
Slowly, Mimikyu stood on its tiptoes and rubbed its head against Ash's cheek.
"Hahaha! Hey, Mimikyu, don't move—That tickles!"
"Mimi~"
...
After finishing their bath and breakfast at the Pokemon Center, Ash set off again.
He had finally reached the center late the previous evening after running almost nonstop. Now that he was fully rested, the next step was obvious.
Training.
Then challenging his first Gym.
"Goh!"
"Pika!"
Before Ash had gone far, he suddenly heard someone shouting.
Turning around, he saw an orange-haired girl and a Pikachu calling out anxiously.
Ash's eyes immediately locked onto the Pikachu.
"Pika?"
Noticing the intense stare, Pikachu turned its head toward him curiously.
"Pikachu, did you see where Goh went?" the girl asked.
Then she followed Pikachu's gaze and noticed Ash.
"…Who are you?"
"Uh… I'm Ash." He scratched his head awkwardly.
"I'm Misty," she replied. "Have you seen a boy with dark skin around here?"
"No, I haven't—"
Rustle.
The bushes nearby shook.
A tan-skinned boy stepped out, scratching his head with clear annoyance.
"Why are you yelling? I'm right here."
Misty instantly snapped.
"Why did you disappear without saying anything?!"
"I was catching Pokémon. What's the big deal?"
"You can't just leave Pikachu behind! It's your Pokémon!"
"Pika pika!"
Goh ignored the complaints and glanced around lazily.
Then his eyes landed on Ash.
"By the way… who's this guy?"
He narrowed his eyes.
Seeing Ash repeatedly glance at his Pikachu made him suspicious.
"He's not trying to steal my Pikachu, is he?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Misty snapped. "Not everyone is like Team Rocket!"
She crossed her arms.
"Ash just wants to battle you!"
"Right, Ash?"
"Uh… yeah."
"Another battle?" Goh sighed dramatically. "Why bother? Everyone already knows how it'll end. Why not just admit defeat now?"
"Enough talking!" Misty snapped. "Send out your Pokémon!"
"Fine, fine."
Goh waved a hand lazily.
"Pikachu, you're up."
"Pika!"
Pikachu hopped forward onto the battlefield.
Misty looked at Ash eagerly.
"Well? Send yours out and teach this arrogant guy a lesson!"
"…Alright."
Ash took a deep breath.
If it was a battle—
Then he would battle seriously.
He looked at his Poké Balls.
Then at Froakie standing beside him.
"Froakie… will you battle?"
"Froa."
Froakie examined Pikachu carefully.
After a moment, it slowly shook its head.
This Pikachu's purity had already declined.
It was no longer worthy of being cut.
"…Come on…"
Ash sighed.
Goh burst out laughing.
"You can't even command your own Pokémon? Misty, are you sure you want me to battle this amateur?"
"Shut up!"
Misty turned to Ash.
"You have more Pokémon, right?"
"I do, but…"
"Then throw one out already," Goh said impatiently. "Stop wasting time. I still have Pokemonto catch."
Ash didn't answer.
He simply lowered the brim of his hat and released his second Pokémon.
"Mimikyu."
He crouched down to meet its eyes.
"Mimikyu… can you still battle?"
"Mimi…"
Mimikyu looked up at him.
It didn't fully understand the complicated emotions in Ash's eyes.
But it could feel something.
Concern.
Expectation.
After a moment, Mimikyu stepped forward and stood opposite Pikachu.
"Mimi!"
It accepted the challenge.
"Alright!"
Ash stood behind it, energy returning.
"Let's go!"
Meanwhile, Goh was scanning with his Pokédex.
"Hmm? What Pokemonis this? Looks like Pikachu."
Beep.
"Mimikyu. An Alola-region Pokemonthat disguises itself as Pikachu to become popular."
Goh snorted.
"So it's just a cheap Pikachu knockoff."
Ash's expression hardened.
"Mimikyu isn't a knockoff. Mimikyu is Mimikyu."
Goh shrugged.
"That's what the Pokédex says."
He waved dismissively.
"Whatever. Pikachu—Thunderbolt."
"Pika—CHUUU!!"
Electricity burst outward.
"Mimikyu, Double Team!"
"Mimi!"
Dozens of Mimikyu illusions scattered.
The lightning struck empty space.
"Then use Electro Ball."
Pikachu formed a glowing orb and launched it.
The ball curved through the field, shattering every illusion.
Only the real Mimikyu remained.
"Finish it with Thunderbolt!"
"Don't let it! Mimikyu—Shadow Sneak!"
"Mimi!"
Pikachu's shadow suddenly rose.
Two ghostly slaps struck its cheeks.
SMACK! SMACK!
"Pika!"
Pikachu was launched backward.
"Now! Wood Hammer!"
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu leapt high, its tail transforming into a giant hammer.
It swung down toward Pikachu—
"Like hell I'm losing!"
Goh shouted furiously.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
"Pi… pika!"
At the last second, Pikachu forced itself up.
Electricity erupted.
"PIKAA—CHUUU!!"
The massive bolt surged upward.
Ash's eyes sharpened.
Remembering Mimikyu's earlier rampage, his hesitation vanished.
He moved instantly.
"Come back, Mimikyu!"
Red light flashed.
Just before the lightning struck—
Mimikyu was recalled.
"…Huh?" Misty blinked. "Why did you recall it? It could still fight!"
Ash exhaled.
"My Mimikyu has a problem. It can't take hits."
He looked down at the Poké Ball.
"So I forfeit."
Goh immediately relaxed.
"See? A knockoff is still a knockoff."
He laughed.
"And a Pokemonthat can't even take a hit? What a weak piece of trash."
"Can you stop talking for once?!" Misty snapped.
Ash ignored the insults.
For some reason—
He didn't feel like arguing with this person at all.
He lowered his hat.
"Well… we'll be going."
"Come on, Froakie."
"Froa."
Froakie followed.
Before leaving, it glanced once at Pikachu.
Their eyes met briefly.
Then Froakie looked away.
"Froa."
Following a Trainer like that…
Losing purity is inevitable.
How pitiful.
But then Froakie looked up at Ash thoughtfully.
Wait…
Would my own purity decline too?
It considered the idea.
Then shook its head.
Impossible.
If that ever happened—
It would simply have to cut down Ash.
"Brr…"
Ash suddenly shivered.
"Why did it suddenly get cold?"
...
Later, they reached a small waterfall.
Ash looked at the open clearing below it and nodded with satisfaction.
"Perfect. We'll train here."
He released his Pokémon.
"Come out, Mimikyu!"
"Mimi!"
"Mimikyu, we're starting special training!"
Ash raised his fist enthusiastically.
"If we max out your agility, not only will you be able to battle—you'll become really strong too!"
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu's eyes shone with determination.
"Alright!"
Ash turned.
"Froakie, I'm counting on you!"
"Froa."
Froakie stood opposite them.
Seeing Trainer and Pokemonstanding side by side, it tilted its head.
I don't mind.
But you might want to stand farther away.
You could get cut too.
"Come on!" Ash struck a pose. "If Mimikyu is training, I can't slack off as its Trainer!"
He grinned.
"Besides… I still can't even see your movements clearly."
"If I want to command you someday… I need to keep up with you first."
"…Froa?"
Froakie froze.
Then slowly smiled.
"Froa."
You want to become my Trainer?
That's quite a big claim.
Its left hand moved behind its back.
Its right hand flicked downward.
A glowing blade formed.
Step by step, Froakie approached them, aura calm and sharp like a master swordsman.
Then—
It vanished.
WHAM!
Ash and Mimikyu were both struck instantly.
"Ow!"
Ash staggered forward.
But he didn't give up.
He raised his arms to guard his head—
Then spun around to face Froakie again.
"Froa."
Froakie saw the determination in his eyes.
For a moment—
Approval flashed through its gaze.
Then the swordsman's sharpness returned.
Slash!
Slash!
Two more strikes.
And then—
Without pause—
Froakie turned and attacked again.
Again.
And again.
Most of the blows landed on Ash.
Because—
If he didn't grow stronger,
What right would he have to command it?
Grow stronger.
I'll wait for the day we fight side by side.
You fool. ⚔️
🔥 Want to Read Ahead? Unlock 60+ Extra Chapters Right Now!
Support the story and get early access to unreleased chapters on Patreon.
👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/pikachu614
⭐ 300 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter Release!
Join Patreon and stay far ahead of the story!